Foundation
Simplicity
Striving to live with only what one needs, not wants. We are not driven by simplicity (or we still serve money), but we are committed to love, which demands simplicity.
Non-violence
Driven by love which does not express itself in violence towards people... absolute community and individual commitment to not use violence.
Spirituality
The community shares a common desire for spirituality, often expressed through work, worship, prayer, and sharing of the sacraments.
Relationships
Commitment to balance time inside the intentional community as well as building relationships outside... balance between inward growth and relationships and outward growth and relationships.
Jobs
Commitment to balance work inside and outside The Simple Way, individually and communally.
Kingdom of God
Commitment to building the Kingdom of God, through ending poverty.
Together
TSW will strives to work with, not for, people -- allowing the people most affected by problems to lead the way in the struggle for their solutions.
Healing
We are all broken. And we are all on a journey towards wholeness. This healing is individual, communal, and social.
Accountability
Community members are held accountable to one another by love. With open permission and intentional commitment to actively hold one another accountable, we work toward loving God and loving people.
Local assembly
The community worships with and builds relationships with congregations.
Non-profit
The non-profit is an instrument to systematically function as a Body, but if this system hinders the Spirit of the community or its vision, it will be abandoned.
Structure
The community recognizes the necessity and danger of structure, and establishes structures not as a prescription for community but as a description of how the body and family function, often driven by individual roles rather than systematic delegation.
The creative and performing arts
We recognize that we are created Imago Dei to be creators. Each individual has unique and special creative abilities that add to communal "art". Also, we value the role that art has in breaking the cycle of poverty and liberating emotional and spiritual deprivation.
Projects
The community may find projects to do as a Body and family, which all persons commit themselves to (in different capacities), and individuals initiate personal projects with the community involvement in mind. All projects are born out of love, not out of the desire for programs.
Growth
The nature of love is to grow. There are both opportunities and dangers in growth. Everyone is invited to "come and see". Anyone desiring to join the community or a new Simple house must first have a journey with the existing community members.
Balance
The community will continue to struggle for transformation both on the systematic (in the macro and micro) level and on the personal level... small things with great love, great things with great love.
Play
The community is committed to playing... creating foolishness as we dance together; never forgetting to cry and always remembering to laugh.
Rest
Action must be accompanied by reflection, and reflection by action. Rest is done as a community and as individuals, distinct from playing.
Justice
Hope
Beauty
About
The Simple Way is a web of subversive friends conspiring to spread the vision of 'Loving God, Loving People, and Following Jesus' in our neighborhoods and in our world.
Our hearts and bellies are grateful for the ice cream lovin' we got this summer. Our friend, Ben Cohen (co-counder of Ben and Jerry's ice cream) donated several hundred ice creams for Potter Street Camp. Thanks Molly for helping make it all happen! Here are a few pictures of the fun... Get the details
The Simple Way would like to welcome the Petersens to Philly.
The Village House is designed to give people an opportunity to live, work, and serve here at The Simple Way. We are seeking a handful of individuals that are interested in being a part of this pilot program. So no matter if you're in your 90s, 20s, or somewhere between here's your opportunity to come for a season of time and work with The Simple Way. Get the details
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